System and method for unfiltering filtered status messages

ABSTRACT

An approach for unfiltering a filtered electronic communication is provided. In one aspect, a computer system receives filtered electronic communication, wherein the filtered electronic communication is a status message. Moreover, the computer system determines a requestor of the filtered electronic communication. The computer system also detects an attempt made to communicate with the requestor. Furthermore, the computer system unfilters, in response to the attempt, the filtered electronic communication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to email messaging applications,and more particularly to unfiltering previously filtered status messagesof the email messaging applications of at least one messaging device.

BACKGROUND

The Information Age, also known as the Digital Age or Computer Age ischaracterized by the ability to generate, process, transfer, and shareinformation in a negligible amount of time. Furthermore, communicationservices for transmitting electronic messages over a network ofmessaging devices have played an important role in technical progressionof the Information Age. Furthermore, wireless communication services ofthe messaging devices are continually becoming more widely used and moreversatile to transmit the electronic messages.

For instance, certain communication services have the ability totransfer wireless communication, including, for example, emails or textmessages using, for example, short message service (SMS) on mobilecomputing devices. In addition, instant messaging (IM) mobile solutionscan enhance conventional SMS wireless communication. For example, MobileInstant Messaging (MIM) can enhance SMS through the use of suitableInternet Protocol (IP) technology and presence information. Moreover,the mobile industry includes one or more of SMS and IM clients, and SMSCenters (SMSCs) and IM enablers to service SMS and IM clients. Inaddition, as SMS becomes more and more widespread, it is likely to berelied on for wirelessly transmitting electronic messages in a broadspectrum of computing technologies over the Internet.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method is provided for unfiltering a previouslyfiltered electronic message. The method comprises a computer systemreceiving a filtered electronic communication, wherein the filteredelectronic communication is a status message. The method furthercomprises the computer system determining a requestor of the filteredelectronic communication. The method further comprises the computersystem detecting an attempt made to communicate with the requestor. Themethod further comprises the computer system unfiltering, in response tothe attempt, the filtered electronic communication

In another embodiment, a computer system is for unfiltering a previouslyfiltered electronic message. The computer system comprises one or moreprocessors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices and program instructionswhich are stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least oneof the one or more memories. The computer system further comprisesprogram instructions to receive a filtered electronic communication,wherein the filtered electronic communication is a status message. Thecomputer system further comprises program instructions to determine arequestor of the filtered electronic communication. The computer systemfurther comprises program instructions to detect an attempt made tocommunicate with the requestor. The computer system further comprisesprogram instructions to unfilter, in response to the attempt, thefiltered electronic communication.

In yet another embodiment, a computer program product is provided forunfiltering a previously filtered electronic message. The computerprogram product comprises one or more processors, one or morecomputer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangiblestorage devices and program instructions which are stored on at leastone of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one ofthe one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories.The computer program product further program instructions to receive afiltered electronic communication, wherein the filtered electroniccommunication is a status message, wherein the filtered electroniccommunication is a status message. The computer program product furthercomprises program instructions to determine a requestor of the filteredelectronic communication. The computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions to detect an attempt made to communicate with therequestor. The computer program product further comprises programinstructions to unfilter, in response to the attempt, the filteredelectronic communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. The invention itself, however, as well as preferred mode of use,further objectives, and advantages thereof, will be best understood byreference to the following detailed description of the invention whenread in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, wherein likereference numerals indicate like components, and:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a message filtering system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating program components ofa requestor device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating program components ofserver device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting steps performed by a server program inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of components of computer system inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide functionality forunfiltering a previously filtered electronic communication or message ofa requestor application. The requestor application can be an emailapplication of a requestor.

In one embodiment, the requestor sends a filtered email status messageto a responder indicating that they are unable to communicate with theresponder via the requestor application of one or more electroniccommunication devices of the requestor. In another embodiment, the emailstatus message is unfiltered or otherwise made visible to the responderwhen a server program of the present invention detects an attempt by theresponder to communicate with the requestor via one or more electroniccommunication software applications of the responder, including forexample, an instant messenger. For example, the server program detectsan attempt by responder to communicate with the participant when theresponder expands a buddy list of a messaging program that contains anidentification of the referenced requestor, wherein the responder makesan attempt to contact the requestor via email or views the status of therequestor on the buddy list. In one aspect, the server program queriesthe responder application for status messages pertaining to theidentification of requestor of the buddy list, and unfilters the statusmessage of the messaging program to make the email status message of therequestor visible to the responder. In another aspect, the serverprogram transmits the annotated status message to responder's messageprogram with the unfiltered status message.

Further aspects of the present invention will now be described inconjunction with the Figures. Referring to FIG. 1, message filteringsystem 100 for unfiltering a previously filtered electroniccommunication is shown.

Message filtering system 100 comprises network 102, requestor device110, responder devices 120, 125, server device 130 and storage device132 containing index database 108. Requestor device 110 and responderdevices 120, 125 are clients to server device 130, interconnected overnetwork 102. Requestor device 110 and responder devices 120, 125 operateover network 102 with server device 130 to facilitate unfilltering offiltered electronic messages or communication between requestor 103 andresponders 106, 107 in message filtering system 100. In one aspect,requestor 103 can be a host that sends filtered message to responders106, 107. Responders 106, 107 can colleagues that makes an attempt tocontact the requestor 103 via email or other messaging means, wherein aserver program 105 of the present invention unfilters a previouslyfiltered electronic message sent by requestor 103 based on the attempt,as described in more details below, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

Requestor device 110 can be, for example, a laptop, tablet, or notebookpersonal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mainframe or minicomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a smart phone such as aBlackberry® (Blackberry is a registered trademark of Research in MotionLimited (RIM) Inc., in the United States, other countries, or both) oriPhone® (iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., in the UnitedStates, other countries, or both), respectively. Requestor device 110comprises requestor client program 111. Requestor client program 111 canbe any type of software application that is compatible to retrieve anddisplay electronic messages from requestor 103 via an electronic messagefrom requestor 103, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In addition, responder devices 120, 125 can be, for example,a laptop, tablet, or notebook personal computer (PC), a desktopcomputer, a mainframe or mini computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), or a smart phone such as a Blackberry® (Blackberry is aregistered trademark of Research in Motion Limited (RIM) Inc., in theUnited States, other countries, or both) or iPhone® (iPhone is aregistered trademark of Apple Inc., in the United States, othercountries, or both), respectively. Each one of responder devices 120,125 comprises an instance of responder client program 126. Responderclient program 126 any type of software application that is compatibleto receive and display electronic messages to responders 106, 107, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Server device 130 can be, for example, a server computer system such asa management server, a web server, or any other electronic device orcomputing system capable of receiving and sending data, and filtering orunfiltering electronic messages, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Furthermore, server device 130 can also represent a“cloud” of computers interconnected by one or more networks, whereserver device 130 can be a primary server for a computing systemutilizing clustered computers when accessed through network 102. Forexample, a cloud computing system can be an implementation of a messagefiltering system for filtering or unfiltering the electronic messagesbetween requestor 103 and responders 106, 107 in real time, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Server device 130 includes server program 105. Server program 105performs all necessary functions filter or unfilters electronic messagesbased on one or more status messages of the electronic message.

Storage device 132 can be any type of storage device, storage server,storage area network, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), cloudstorage service, or any type of data storage. Index database 108 can bea database of indexed web pages pertaining to email or other electronicdocuments stored in storage device 132 for retrieval by requestor clientprogram 111 or responder client program 126, over network 102. In oneaspect, once retrieved, the electronic documents can be displayed in auser interface of requestor device 110 and responder device 120, 125 forviewing by requestor 103 or responders 106, 107, in accordance with oneembodiments of the present invention.

Network 102 includes one or more networks of any kind that can providecommunication links between various devices and computers connectedtogether within message filtering system 100. Network 102 can alsoinclude connections, such as wired communication links, wirelesscommunication links, or fiber optic cables. In addition, network 102 canbe implemented as a number of different types of networks, including,for example, a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or apacket switched telephone network (PSTN), or some other networkedsystem. In one embodiment, network 102 is the Internet representing aworldwide collection of networks. The term “Internet” as used accordingto embodiments of the present invention refers to a network or networksthat uses certain protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol, and possiblyother protocols, such as the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) forhypertext markup language (HTML) documents that make up the world wideWeb (the web). Further, content from the Internet is often provided bycontent servers, including, for example, server device 130 and istransmitted to client display devices, including, for example, requestordevice 110 and responder devices 120, 125. At the heart of the Internetis a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodesor host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government,educational and other documents that can be transferred in a messagefiltering system application between requestor 103 and responders 106,107, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating program components ofrequestor device 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the depicted embodiment, requestor device 110 comprises requestorclient program 111. Requestor client program 111 can among other things,retrieve and display content accessible via network 102, such as webpages. In one embodiment, requestor client program 111 is a web browser.Examples of web browsers include Internet Explorer® (Internet Exploreris a trademark of Microsoft Inc., in the United States, other countriesor both), Firefox® (Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Corporation, inthe United States other countries, or both), Safari® (Safari is atrademark of Apple, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both)and Google Chrome™ (Google Chrome is a trademark of Google, Inc. in theUnited States, other countries, or both), respectively. Furthermore, theweb page received in requestor client program 111, comprises requestorweb page module 200. Requestor web page module 200 includes programcode, such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code or JavaScript codethat when executed, adds one or more user interface elements torequestor client program 111.

In at least one embodiment, requestor web page module 200 is a webbrowser plugin/add-on that extends the functionality of requestor clientprogram 111 by adding additional user interface elements to a userinterface of requestor client program 111. The additional user interfaceelements allow requestor 103 to set an availability status message on anelectronic message application, and associate or configured availabilitystatus message with an email or message filter application, wherein theemail application filters an email or electronic message based on theavailability status of requestor 103, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. In at least one embodiment, requestor web pagemodule 200 comprises requestor message module 210. Requester messagemodule 210 is a web browser plugin/add-on that extends the functionalityof requestor web page module 200 by adding additional user interfaceelements to a user interface of requestor web page module 200.

Requestor message module 210 allows requestor 103 to define one or moreemail filters for filtering emails based on availability of requestor103. In particular, requestor message module 210 allows requestor 103 toset an availability status based on availability of requestor 103 inrequestor status module 212, and configures the availability status inrequestor email module 214, wherein the configured availability statusis filtered by requestor email module 214. Requestor message module 210is an electronic message transmission program.

The electronic message transmission program supports transmission offiltered or unfiltered information between requestor 103 and responder106, 107, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Inone aspect of the present invention, requestor 103 can set availabilitystatus of requestor 103 on requestor status module 212 in numerous ways,including, for example, via the user interface of requestor clientprogram 111 of requestor email module 214, or via other electronicmessaging means, including, for example, an instant message application.Furthermore, requestor email module 214 and the other electronicmessaging means can be provided in a single integrated application withrequestor status module 212. In one example, requestor 103 can definethe following one or more status messages or availability levels onrequestor status module 212: “very busy”; “busy”, and “normal”. For eachstatus message, requestor 103 can further configure or define any numberof email filters based on the status message on requestor email module214, including for example, “very busy”, “busy” or “normal” based emailfiltering preferences of requestor 103. In one aspect, the filteredstatus message of requestor email module 214 is transmitted to serverprogram 105 for transmission to responder client program 126. Forexample, requestor 103 emails his department team members indicatingthat his instant messaging client is not working and provides analternate contact information. In one aspect, responders 106, 107receive the email message pertaining to the status message of requestor103. Furthermore, requestor email module 214 filters the status of theemail message based on configuration set by requestor 103. In thismanner, the email sent by requestor 103 comprises the status messagethat is filtered by requestor email module 214, wherein the filteredstatus message of requestor email module 214 is transmitted to responderclient program 125 for display to responders 106, 107, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating program components ofserver device 130 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Server device 130 comprises server program 105. In one aspect, serverprogram 105 performs functions to unfilter previously filteredelectronic message configured by requestor 103 on requestor messagemodule 210, and transmitted to server program 105 by requestor clientprogram 111. Once transmitted, the filtered status message of requestoremail module 214 is detected by server program 105. In one aspect,server program 105 detects the filtered status message to identifysender of the filtered status message, for example, server program 105detects information of the filtered status message, including forexample, duration or frequency of the filtered status message, user IDof the status message, including user ID pertaining to requestor 103,and application or tool that is associated with the filtered statusmessage, pertaining to requestor 103. Furthermore, server program 105stores the detected information of the filtered email status message ofthe email in storage device 132 for future retrieval by responders 106,107.

In one embodiment of the present invention, sever program 105 monitoruser activities of responders 106, 107 to access the of the filteredstatus message of the stored email. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, if server program 105 detects an attempt by responders 106,107 to access the stored filtered email of the status message,unfiltering module 500 unfilters or other makes the stored filteredstatus message of the email visible to responders 106, 107 Responders106, 107 can make an attempt to access the stored filtered statusmessage of the email if responders 120, 106 attempts to contactrequestor 103 of the stored filtered status message. In one example,requestor 103 emails his department members, on requestor email module214, indicting that his messaging application of requestor clientprogram 111 is not working, and hence requestor 103 is unavailable tocorrespond with his department member, including for example responders106, 107. Furthermore, requestor email module 214 filters the emailstatus message, and transmits the filtered email to responders 106, 107via requestor message program 210. In this manner, responder messageprogram 210 receives the filtered status message of the email. Inanother example, if responders 106, 107 attempts to contact requestor103, via one or more electronic messaging applications, including, forexample, a messaging program, including Lotus® Notes® (Lotus Notes aretrademarks of the International Business Machines in the United States,other Countries, or Both), sever program 105 detects the attempt byresponders 106, 107 to contact requestor 103.

Furthermore, server program 105 queries the stored filtered email forstatus messages pertaining to requestor 103 and unfilters the storedfiltered electronic message, by making the filtered electronic messagevisible to responder 106, 107. In this manner, the status message isdisplayed to responder 106, 107. In one aspect, the message can bedepicted as important by highlighting or coloring which can render thestatus message as relevant or in need of attention by requestor 103. Inanother aspect, server program 105 can then display the highlight statusmessage to responders 106, 107, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting steps performed by server program 105 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step 410,server program 105 receives a filtered electronic communication, whereinthe filtered electronic communication is a status message. In step 420,determines a requestor of the filtered electronic communication. In step430, detects an attempt made to communicate with the requestor. In step440, server program 105 unfilters, in response to the attempt, thefiltered electronic communication.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a computer system, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

Computer system 500 is only one example of a suitable computer systemand is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, computer system 500 is capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove. In computersystem 500 there is computer 512, which is operational with numerousother general purpose or special purpose computing system environmentsor configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use withcomputer 512 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems,server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptopdevices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set topboxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputersystems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computingenvironments that include any of the above systems or devices, and thelike. Each one of requestor 103, responders 106, 107, and server device130 can include or can be implemented as an instance of computer 512.

Computer 512 may be described in the general context of computer systemexecutable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by acomputer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Computer 512 may be practiced in distributed cloud computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloudcomputing environment, program modules may be located in both local andremote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As further shown in FIG. 5, computer 512 is shown in the form of ageneral-purpose computing device. The components of computer 512 mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processingunits 516, memory 528, and bus 518 that couples various systemcomponents including memory 528 to processing unit 516.

Bus 518 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computer 512 typically includes a variety of computer system readablemedia. Such media may be any available media that is accessible bycomputer 512, and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, andremovable and non-removable media.

Memory 528 includes computer system readable media in the form ofvolatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 530 and/or cache532. Computer 512 may further include other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of exampleonly, storage system 534 can be provided for reading from and writing toa non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typicallycalled a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive forreading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk(e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from orwriting to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM,DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, eachcan be connected to bus 518 by one or more data media interfaces. Aswill be further depicted and described below, memory 528 may include atleast one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of programmodules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments ofthe invention.

Requestor client program 111, responder client program 126 and serverprogram 105 can be stored in memory 528 by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, andprogram data or some combination thereof, may include an implementationof a networking environment. Program modules 542 generally carry out thefunctions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention asdescribed herein. Each one of requestor client program 111, responderclient program 126 and server program 105 are implemented as or are aninstance of program 540.

Computer 512 may also communicate with one or more external devices 514such as a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., as well as display 524; oneor more devices that enable a user to interact with computer 512; and/orany devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer 512to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Suchcommunication occurs via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 522. Still yet,computer 512 communicates with one or more networks such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a publicnetwork (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 520. As depicted,network adapter 520 communicates with the other components of computer512 via bus 518. It should be understood that although not shown, otherhardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction withcomputer 512. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustrations are implemented by special purpose hardware-based systemsthat perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of thepresent invention may be embodied as a system, method or computerprogram product. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention maytake the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer-readablemedium(s) having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

In addition, any combination of one or more computer-readable medium(s)may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readablesignal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that contains, or stores a program foruse by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,or device.

A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium thatis not a computer-readable storage medium and that communicates,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations forembodiments of the present invention may be written in any combinationof one or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,conventional procedural programming languages such as the “C”programming language, a hardware description language such as Verilog,or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirelyon the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devicesto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Based on the foregoing a method, system and computer program product forunfiltering a filtered electronic communication within a computer systemhas been described. However, numerous modifications and substitutionscan be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention.In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one ormore executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. Therefore, the present invention has beendisclosed by way of example and not limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for unfiltering a filtered electroniccommunication within a computer system, the method comprising the stepsof: receiving a filtered electronic communication, wherein the filteredelectronic communication is a status message; determining a requestor ofthe filtered electronic communication; detecting an attempt made tocommunicate with the requestor; and unfiltering, in response to theattempt, the filtered electronic communication.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising the step of: storing, within a repositoryof the computer system, the duration or frequency of status message,requestor identification, application, or tool that is associated withthe filtered electronic communication.
 3. The method according to claim2, wherein the requestor identification includes identification of arequestor of the electronic communication, and wherein the duration orfrequency of status message is duration or frequency of a status messageof the electronic communication of the requestor.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting an attempt made tocommunicate with the requestor further comprises the step of: monitoringresponder activities to access the filtered electronic communication ofthe requestor.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingthe step of: transmitting the unfiltered electronic communication to atleast one responder.
 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein thetransmitted electronic communication is displayed in a user interface ofa responder device of the at least one responder.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the step of: notifying at leastone responder that the filtered electronic communication is currentlyunfiltered.
 8. A computer system for unfiltering a filtered electroniccommunication, the computer system comprising: one or more processors,one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readabletangible storage devices and program instructions which are stored on atleast one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at leastone of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or morememories, the program instructions comprising: program instructions toreceive a filtered electronic communication, wherein the filteredelectronic communication is a status message; program instructions todetermine a requestor of the filtered electronic communication; programinstructions to detect an attempt made to communicate with therequestor; and programs instructions to unfilter, in response to theattempt, the filtered electronic communication.
 9. The computer systemaccording to claim 8, further comprising: program instructions to store,within a repository of the computer system, the duration or frequency ofstatus message, requestor identification, application, or tool that isassociated with the filtered electronic communication.
 10. The computersystem according to claim 9, wherein the requestor identificationincludes identification of a requestor of the electronic communication,and wherein the duration or frequency of status message is duration orfrequency of a status message of the electronic communication of therequestor.
 11. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein programinstructions to detect an attempt made to communicate with the requestorfurther comprises: program instructions to monitor responder activitiesto access the filtered electronic communication of the requestor. 12.The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising programinstructions to transmit the unfiltered electronic communication to atleast one responder.
 13. The computer system according to claim 12,wherein the transmitted electronic communication is displayed in a userinterface of a responder device of the at least one responder.
 14. Thecomputer system according to claim 8, further comprising programinstructions to notify at least one responder that the filteredelectronic communication is currently unfiltered.
 15. A computer programproduct for unfiltering a filtered electronic communication, the programproduct comprising: one or more processors, one or morecomputer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangiblestorage devices and program instructions which are stored on at leastone of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one ofthe one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories,the program instructions comprising: program instructions to receive afiltered electronic communication, wherein the filtered electroniccommunication is a status message; program instructions to determine arequestor of the filtered electronic communication; program instructionsto detect an attempt made to communicate with the requestor; andprograms instructions to unfilter, in response to the attempt, thefiltered electronic communication.
 16. The computer program productaccording to claim 14, further comprising: program instructions tostore, within a repository of the program product, the duration orfrequency of status message, requestor identification, application, ortool that is associated with the filtered electronic communication. 17.The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein therequestor identification includes identification of a requestor of theelectronic communication, and wherein the duration or frequency ofstatus message is duration or frequency of a status message of theelectronic communication of the requestor.
 18. The computer programproduct according to claim 14, wherein program instructions to detect anattempt made to communicate with the requestor further comprises:program instructions to monitor responder activities to access thefiltered electronic communication of the requestor.
 19. The computerprogram product according to claim 14, further comprising programinstructions to transmit the unfiltered electronic communication to atleast one responder.
 20. The computer program product according to claim14, wherein the transmitted electronic communication is displayed in auser interface of a responder device of the at least one responder.